Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Eyeball Floor Lamp in Orange Finish c 1970's
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Cool post modern eyeball floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. The lamp features a ball shade which pivots, and tilts to direct the light, it accepts a standard s...
Metal
Tol 3 Floor Lamp by Dirk Vander Kooij, Brass & Plastic, Post-Modern
Located in Toronto, ON
Tol, Dutch for spinning top, is so named for its deceptive stance in suspended motion. The series of alternating totems sit comfortably—softly grounded in their obtuse proportions. T...
Brass
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide 'Sintesi Faretto' Wall Light in Green
By Artemide
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, wall light, model 'Sintesi Faretto', first edition, Cornalux bulb included, coated iron, coated steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, Italy, 1976 The foun...
Aluminum, Iron
Ceramic Owl Table Lamp, French Studio Design, 1980s, Sculptural Form
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A singular ceramic lamp conceived as a stylized owl, emblematic of the expressive freedom of French studio ceramics in the 1980s. This piece transcends its function to become a true ...
Ceramic
Arizona Table Lamp in Travertine Romano Stone by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Arizona Table Lamp in Travertine Romano Stone by InsidherLand. Dimensions: Ø 36 x H 72 cm. Materials: Romano Travertine stone. This listing features the Arizona Table Lamp in its Tr...
Stone, Travertine
$2,809 / item
BX2 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
BX2 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 12 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bl...
Alabaster, Copper
Post-Modern Torchiere Floor Lamp by Kovacs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Cool 1980’s Post-Modern Sculptural torchiere floor lamp by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. In beautiful original condition. It takes 150 W halogen bulb. New inline dimmer. Measuremen...
Steel
Chrome finish Three Spheres lighting pendant by Tom Dixon, 21st century
By Tom Dixon
Located in View Park, CA
A mirror ball trio pendant light by Tom Dixon, early 21st century.
Acrylic
$326 / item
Amber Magma Lamp by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Amber Magma Lamp by Mana Dimensions: D 19.5 x W 16.5 x H 27 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected and...
Plastic
$1,279Sale Price / set|25% Off
Postmodern Gold Pair of Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful Postmodern Pair of Gold Metal and Glass Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1094 Gold plated. These Lamps were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Sp...
Metal
Kazuhide Takahama Totem Floor Lamp, Sirrah Italy 1981
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare Kazuhide Takahama “Totem” floor lamp is one of his most sculptural and architectural lighting designs, designed in the late 70s for Sirrah...
Cement, Metal, Brass
1980s Postmodern Poul Henningsen Style Floor Lamp, Bone Enamel, Multi-Disc Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced in Denmark during the 1980s, this floor lamp draws directly from Poul Henningsen's foundational multi-disc shade system while incorporating Postmodern proportions and materi...
Metal, Enamel
Lumenform Table Lamp in Glass and Chrome 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lumenform table lamp, chrome-plated steel, glass, Italy, 1970s This striking table lamp, crafted by Lumenform in Italy and stands out as a remarkable piece. Its ingenious design cre...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage PAF Studio Dove Italian Table Lamp Mario Barbaglia & Marco Colombo MCM
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo, PAF Studio
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, iconic postmodern "Dove" desk lamp, designed by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo for PAF Studio (later known as Italiana Luce) in Milan, Italy, around 1984....
Plastic
Postmodern Italian Ala Table Lamp by Rodolfo Bonetto for Iguzzini, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp from the Italian manufacturer Iguzzini according to a design by Rodolfo Bonetto from the 1980s. A highly flexible and changeable design based on the game with ...
Metal
Pendant Chandelier, Hand-Linked Chainmail Droplet, 60cm, Steel, Panorammma, Mex
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web hugs the lamp’s canopy, as the knit gets tighter the chainmail envelopes into a rope which hangs to finally suspend a glass globe. All the while the lamp’s warm light source remains hidden. In Chainmail Droplet Chandelier there is an evident contradiction between material and form as the chainmail takes on an organic cocoon like appearance. When conceiving the first piece in this collection; I sought to create a design that supported the idea of a body that is open to different forms of expression; ultimately seeking to express and question our wish for constraint. An object that through industrial materials knits into a soft light nest...
Steel
Austrian Postmodern Set of Three "Cocoon" Chandeliers by EGLO Leuchten, 1990s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and beauty Set of Three Austrian "Cocoon" Chandeliers. These Chandeliers were designed during the 1990s in Austria by Eglo Leuchten. Original “Eglo” label still shows on the s...
Metal
Pair of 'Canna Fiorita' Table Lamps by Castiglioni & Menghi for Fontana Arte
By Roberto Menghi, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 'Canna Fiorita' table lamps by Piero Castiglioni and Roberto Menghi for Fontana Arte, produced in Italy in the early 1980s, embodies the experimental spirit of late-Mode...
Brass
$384 / item
Dream/Reality Wall Sconce by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dream/Reality Wall Sconce by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 9 x W 18 x H 21 cm Materials: Textured aluminum. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If so...
Aluminum
$881Sale Price / set|55% Off
Wall lighting Glass murano multicolor pair by Zonca , Italie 1980s
By Zonca
Located in La xara, VC
Large pair of Post-Modern wall lamps by Zonca. The design of this lamp is a typical example of the post-modern style of the 80s. The fan-shaped Murano glass takes up the pastel color...
Murano Glass
Postmodern Danish Light Blue Perforated Metal Pendant from Abo Randers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wall lamp by Danish manufacturer Abo Randers from the 1980s. The lamp body consists of a metal sheet bent into a large radius and painted blue. The front part is designed as a shade...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Olympia Floor Lamp by Jorge Pensi for B.Lux, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant floor lamp from the Spanish manufacturer B.Lux after a design by Jorge Pensi from the 80s. This floor lamp convinces with it's slender design language and the special materi...
Metal
Decorative Southern Cross Brass Glass Pendant Light CRUX by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Decorative Southern Cross Brass Glass Pendant Light CRUX by Christopher Boots Dimensions: 199 x 117.5 x 67.5 cm Materials: Brass and Glass Available in different sizes, configuratio...
Bronze
Ceramic "Weightlifter" Sconce, Muscular Arm with Dumbbell, by J.C. Peiré, 1980s
By JC Peire
Located in Lille, FR
This wall sconce or table lamp, depicting a muscular arm with a dumbbell, was made by J.C. Peiré Productions, a small Marseille-based workshop run by ceramicist Jean-Claude Peiré (19...
Ceramic
$1,480Sale Price|57% Off
William Leslie Light Sculpture Signed 1994
By William Leslie
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Beautiful large paper & burlwood light sculpture. Signed William Leslie 1994. Gorgeous dramatic design with multiple curves that looks great from any an...
Resin, Wood, Paper
Set of 4 original Memphis style "Jill" Arteluce wall sconces, 1980's
By Perry King and Santiago Miranda, Arteluce
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A set of 4 original Memphis style "Jill " Arteluce wall sconces by Perry King and S. Miranda, available for purchase per piece. The design is cle...
Metal
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 117 x D 224 x H 21 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each cou...
Brass, Bronze
$4,312 / item
Umbra Alabaster Table Lamp by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Umbra Alabaster Table Lamp by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 36 cm Materials: Alabaster Finish: Natural Honed Alabaster All our lamps can be wired according to each country...
Alabaster
Gian Nicola Gigante for Zerbetto — Adjustable Fluorescent Pendant, Italy, 1980s
By Zerbetto, Gian Nicola Gigante
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking Italian modernist pendant designed by Gian Nicola Gigante for Zerbetto. The minimalist fixture is suspended from four slender steel wires, allowing the pendant to be posit...
Steel
$1,559 / item
Bohemian 72 Floor Lamp, Rattan
By Gabriella Crespi, Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
GUBI's Bohemian floor lamp is a perfect example of designer Gabriella Crespi’s desire to create furniture that seamlessly moves from indoor to outdoor spaces. Made from rattan, the l...
Rattan
Stunning François Chatain Post Modern Ceramic table lamp 1980s France
Located in Den Haag, NL
Stunning Round Ceramic Table lamp . Cubistic shaped . in typical 1980s Colors , Brown and Yellow's . Comes complete with its Yellow Shade .adjustable in Height , Excellent conditio...
Ceramic
$5,396 / item
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 46 x H 26 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
Flute of Chicago Postmodern Corrugated Cardboard Table Lamp in Red, 1980s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A bold, sculptural table lamp by Flute of Chicago, designed by Gregory Van Pelt in the 1980s Postmodern idiom — often cited as "in the manner of" Frank Gehry's Easy Edges cardboard f...
Corrugated Cardboard
$314 / item
Stambha Noir Lamp by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Stambha Noir Lamp by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 26.67 x H 198.12 cm Materials: Engineered wood Stambha Noir is a striking sculptural column defined by its stacked, geometric black fo...
Wood
1980 Mega 2 by Prisma Italian Design Wall Lamp Flush Mount
By Prisma
Located in Brescia, IT
Prisma “Mega 2” Ceiling / Wall Lamp, Italy The Mega 2 is a striking architectural light by Italian manufacturer Prisma, conceived in the late 20th century as part of their professio...
Metal
Post Modern Desk Lamp by Ron Rezek, ca. 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Chic 1980's desk lamp by Ron Rezek, in excellent original, clean and working condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. The hood shade (6.5 in. diam...
Metal
Italian Postmodern Icaro Sconce by Carlo Forcolini for Artemide, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant wall lamps from the italian manufacturer artemide based on a design by carlo forcolini from the 80s. the artemide icaro is a design classic of ...
Metal
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Steel and Blue Glass Torchiere Floor Lamp, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern 1980s torchiere floor lamp with black steel base, gray steel support and blue glass side diffusers. The in-line foot control allows for dimm...
Steel
Soft Futurism Lamina Lamp in Aluminum and Marble by Filippo Andrighetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft Futurism Lamina Lamp in Aluminum and Marble by Filippo Andrighetto. Dimensions: W 21 x D 21 x H 45 cm. Materials: Gently brushed aluminum and marble. Available in marble option...
Marble, Aluminum
$1,305 / item
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 12 cm Materials: opaline acrylic, bronze, bulit in dimmer switch and warm LED light. Fittings also av...
Bronze, Other
Jan Van Lierde Echos Dimmable Floor Lamp for Artemide, 1980s
By Artemide
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Echos floor lamp designed in the 1980s by Jean Van Lierde and produced by Artemide. The sculptural tower lamp features three separate light sources; halogen at the top, a dimmable sw...
Aluminum, Steel
Mario Tsai, Aluminium Champagne Painted Tsai Table Lamp by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Tsai, Aluminium Champagne Painted Tsai Table Lamp by Cassina UNIT OF LIGHT A collection of modular metal lamps in which the base unit alludes to the shape of a brick. A simpl...
Aluminum
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
A Pair Missoni Post-Modern Table Side Lamps by Massimo Valloto, Italy, 1980s
By Missoni Home, Missoni
Located in Vienna, AT
An amazing pair of colorful postmodern Missoni table or side lamps, nightstand lights from the 1980s, designed by Massimo Valloto. This light has an ...
Metal
$897 / item
Sino Meio G Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Sino Meio G Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 15 x D 10 x H 30 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also available in Polished Cast...
Metal
$1,491Sale Price|20% Off
Philippe Starck. Limited edition “Toobe” table lamp by Kartell, Italy, 2000s
By Kartell, Philippe Starck, Ferruccio Laviani
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Philipp Stark. Limited edition "Toobe" table lamp by Kartell, Italy, 2000s. Composed of a transparent PMMA cylinder with the names of the authors of Rowohlt printed on it, and a whit...
Plexiglass, Plaster
Arctic Wall Lamp, Acrylic Pearl Beads and Nylon Thread by Lady Sister
Located in Geneve, CH
Arctic Wall Lamp, Acrylic Pearl Beads and Nylon Thread by Lady Sister Dimensions: W 37 x D 72 x H 15 cm Materials: Acrylic Pearl Beads, Nylon Thread, Epoxy Clay, Wire, CNC Cut Stain...
Stainless Steel
$6,294 / item
Celine Ten Light Black Nickel Chandelier by MUG
Located in Geneve, CH
Celine Ten Light Black Nickel Chandelier by MUG Dimensions: Ø 120 x H 163 cm (customizable height) Materials: Borosilicate glass, LEDs, Iron Finish: Chrome and Matt black All our la...
Nickel
Giancarlo Mattioli for Sirrah 'MT' Floor or Table Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giancarlo Mattioli for Sirrah, 'MT' floor or table lamp, lacquered aluminum, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1969 The versatile Italian designer, architect, and urban planner Giancarlo...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,128Sale Price|35% Off
Barovier Toso Flush Mount Millefiori Murano glass large XXL 52 cm, Italy 1980
Located in La xara, VC
Barovier Toso Murano Glass Flush Mount Millefiori , Italy 1980s The glass item in the image is likely a Murano millefiori dome glass shade or ceiling lamp produced in Italy, charact...
Murano Glass
Postmodern Pair of "Bonsai" Wood Table Lamps by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Gran Bonsai" Pair of Beech Wood Table Lamps by Blauet. Model: B1458-15 Natural / Chrome. These Table Lamps were designed by Josep Llusca for Bla...
Metal
Paper Milk Large Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper Milk Large Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 70 x H 45 cm. Materials: Ash wood and rice paper. Available in different sizes. Prices may vary. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. Please contact us. “In Taiwanese life, the most overlooked thing is the lamp... it's hard to find old Taiwanese lamps...
Ash, Paper
Mid-Century Modern Architectural Glass Floor Lamp by Max Buguara
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and elegant floor lamp designed by Max Buguara. Glass shaft connecting brass elements on a unique style. Some wear to the brass. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Truly a spectacular uplight torchiere. Has a floor switch with a dimmer for mood lighting.
Brass
Lipparini “Lola” Flush Mount Light, Italian Postmodern Glass & Iron
By Lipparini
Located in Antwerp, BE
A sculptural Italian postmodern flush mount by Lipparini, dating from the 1990s, combining softly textured Murano-style glass with elegant dark metal scrollwork. This listing is for...
Iron
Tizio Adjustable Black Table Lamp from Richard Sapper for Artemide, 1972
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This is a highly sought-after adjustable table lamp, designed by the renowned Richard Sapper for the prestigious Italian design brand Artemide. Originally conceived and manufactured ...
Aluminum
Italian modern table lamp Daphine Terra by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 2010s
By Tommaso Cimini, Lumina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern table lamp Daphine Terra by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 2010s Adjustable table lamp model Daphine Terra in black painted metal. The compact base, complete with a switch...
Metal
$14,080 / item
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 11 x W 185 x H 21 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, M...
Alabaster, Copper
Claudio Salocchi for Lumenform Post-Modern 'Tulpa' Table Lamp
By Lumenform, Claudio Salocchi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Claudio Salocchi for Lumenform, 'Tulpa' lamp, marble, steel, chrome-plated steel, methacrylate, Italy, 1971 Designed in 1971 by the Italian architect and industrial designer Claudio...
Marble, Steel, Chrome
Ernesto Gismondi Terra Floor Lamp for Artemide Camera, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Post-Modern floor lamp designed by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, manufactured in Italy during the 1980s. The Camera Terra consists of a slender chromed metal rod rising from a flat ...
Metal, Enamel, Chrome
Postmodern Italian Washington Table Lamp by Jean Michel Wilmotte, 1980s
By Lumen Center
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp from the Italian manufacturer Lumen Center Italia based on a design by architect and designer Jean Michel Wilmotte from the 80s. This is the old, original versi...
Metal
Pendant Chainmail Droplet, Hand-Linked, 120cm, Steel with Brass Finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web hugs the lamp’s canopy, as the knit gets tighter the chainmail envelopes ...
Steel